Roll of Honor
Richard Allen May, Jr.
Incident
Officer Richard May was shot and killed when he responded to a disturbance call at the corner of University Avenue and Weeks Street at approximately 4:30 pm.
When he arrived, he observed several men fighting. As he approached the group, one of the men fled. As Officer May attempted to stop the man, the subject turned around and opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun. Despite being mortally wounded, Officer May was able to return fire and wounded the man in the leg.
The subject, who was a documented gang member, fled on foot but was apprehended later that night.
A 14-year-old law enforcement Explorer was participating in a ride-along with Officer May at the time of the incident but was not injured.
Officer May was a United States Marine Corps Reserves veteran and had served with the East Palo Alto Police Department for 18 months. He had previously served for 13 years with the Lompoc Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-851EF684- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer May gave the East Palo Alto Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Palo Alto community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard Allen May, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Richard Allen May, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At East Palo Alto Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Allen May, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Richard Allen May, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Allen May, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Allen May, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from East Palo Alto Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
